MONTGOMERY– The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says traffic fatalities dropped sharply during this year’s Fourth of July holiday travel period following a statewide safety enforcement campaign.
The campaign ran from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5. ALEA says troopers increased patrols across Alabama’s roads and waterways during the holiday weekend.
ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigated 263 traffic crashes during the 2026 holiday travel period. Those crashes resulted in 129 injuries and four traffic fatalities.
That is down from the 2025 Fourth of July holiday period. Last year, ALEA investigated 314 traffic crashes, 155 injuries and 12 traffic fatalities.
ALEA says the decrease represents a reduction of more than 66 percent in roadway fatalities.
Troopers also conducted high-visibility enforcement across the state. ALEA reported 2,639 traffic citations, 1,034 warnings and 46 DUI arrests.
ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division also maintained an increased presence on Alabama waterways. Troopers investigated nine boating incidents, including one serious boating incident involving a missing individual.
Marine Patrol troopers also conducted 555 vessel stops. ALEA reported 235 citations, 695 warnings and three Boating Under the Influence arrests.
A search and recovery operation remains ongoing at Lake Wedowee for an individual reported missing after a boating incident.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said the results show the impact of enforcement, education and personal responsibility on public safety. Taylor said reducing traffic fatalities from 12 last year to four this year reflects the work of ALEA personnel, public safety partners and motorists who made responsible decisions.
Taylor also reminded the public that safe choices extend beyond holiday weekends. He said every decision matters, whether someone is traveling on Alabama highways or enjoying the state’s lakes and rivers.
ALEA thanked its local, state and federal public safety partners, along with the public, for helping make the Fourth of July holiday travel period safer.
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